What is the story about?
What's Happening?
EXA Infrastructure has unveiled plans for a significant fibre backbone project, named 'Project Visegrád', aimed at enhancing connectivity across Central Europe. This initiative will link Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary to EXA's existing network in Germany and Austria, marking the largest pan-European fibre deployment in the region in 25 years. The project will establish high-capacity international fibre routes connecting major cities such as Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest directly to EXA's hyperscale backbone in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Additionally, EXA plans to expand its metro fibre networks in these cities to connect carrier-neutral data centres. The infrastructure will utilize HDPE ducts with multiple microducts for scalability, initially deploying 216-fibre Corning Ultra G.652D cable, with future upgrades possible to hollow-core fibre technology.
Why It's Important?
This development is crucial for Central Europe's digital economy, which has been growing rapidly but lacks the connectivity seen in Western Europe. By providing a resilient and scalable backbone, EXA Infrastructure aims to unlock the region's potential, facilitating growth in digital services and connectivity. The project is expected to benefit hyperscalers, carriers, and enterprises requiring high standards of connectivity, thereby supporting economic expansion and technological advancement in the region. The deployment will also extend EXA's reach into new markets across the Balkans and Turkey, potentially fostering broader economic integration and digital innovation.
What's Next?
The first routes of Project Visegrád are anticipated to be operational by mid-2026, with further expansions planned through 2027. As the project progresses, stakeholders such as telecom companies, data centres, and enterprises will likely prepare to leverage the enhanced connectivity for business operations and service delivery. The deployment may also prompt competitive responses from other infrastructure providers seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for high-capacity networks in Central Europe.
Beyond the Headlines
The strategic use of protected corridors adjacent to oil and gas pipelines for fibre deployment highlights the importance of infrastructure security and reliability. This approach ensures ultra-high availability, which is critical for maintaining uninterrupted service in the digital economy. Additionally, the project's alignment with the historic Visegrád alliance underscores the cultural and economic significance of regional cooperation in advancing technological infrastructure.
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